The T & T Clark Blog

Review: Signs of God's Promise

 The International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church has published a review of Gordon Jeanes' book on Thomas Cranmer, Signs of God's Promise by Bridget Nichols:  

"This book has been impatiently awaited by those who have encountered it at earlier stages of its evolution. Their reward is a study of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer’s developing sacramental theology that is likely to take its place as a definitive account, if it is legitimate to speak in those terms of such a fiercely contested subject.

Through much of his career, Cranmer seems to have been engaged in a quest to define the nature of a sacrament and what it signifies. Jeanes picks up the trail in the late 1530s, drawing on an awe-inspiring range of material. Discussion of contemporary documents, including the anonymous, but probably Cranmerian treatise, De Sacramentis (which the author has edited), ancient sources, a large corpus of secondary literature (some of it usefully re-examined) and very recent publications ensures an invaluable presentation of the current state of research. Here, we see the beginnings of the Archbishop’s commitment to a sacramental theology that keeps both dominical sacraments in view. Indeed, it is Jeanes’s contention throughout that Cranmer’s thinking on baptism and the Eucharist was closely interlinked. In particular, his understanding of consecration, sacramental grace and growth in the Christian life involve parity between the major symbolic components – bread, wine and water – as well as between eating and drinking at the Eucharist, and the application of water in baptism.

Another Endorsement for "Calling for Justice"

Professor Jon Fuller, S.J., M.D., who is a staff physician with the Center for HIV/AIDS Care at Boston University, has offered this wonderful review of our recently released Calling for Justice throughout the World. Here, he gives a comprehensive endorsement of the book's inspiration and purpose and of the women whose contributions to both the volume and the fight against the pandemic are so important. Please enjoy!

In July of 2006, a remarkable, first-of-its-kind conference in Padua, Italy brought together more than 400 moral theologians from 63 countries to reflect on “Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church.”  The meeting was certainly notable for the papers presented, but it was important for another reason as well: this gathering allowed theologians from vastly different cultures not only to meet their fellow scholars face-to-face, but also to reflect as a cohort of professionals on their identity, capacity, and mission in service to the Church and to the human community.  Ten papers were presented in Padua on the topic of HIV/AIDS, but the meeting also became – in the words of editor Mary Jo Iozzio – a “rolling stone” that led to further analysis by theologians particularly interested in the pandemic.  This collection represents the further reflections of 25 women theologians representing 15 countries and 7 global regions.

Indeed, this collection by women is mostly about women.  But perhaps because of their lived experience of being biologically (and often culturally and economically) more vulnerable than men to becoming HIV-infected, women have also been able to identify with other marginalized and vulnerable groups whose voices must also be heard and for whom solutions must also be found.  These groups range from the elderly and physically or developmentally disabled to African Americans, children, addicts and migrant workers.   These reflections are contextualized not primarily in the realm of sexual ethics, but rather as failures of justice whose solutions must be based on the claims of human dignity, and on the church’s professed interest in a preferential option for the poor.   It is by the epic milestones of Catholic Social Teaching that several of these analyses find their way, beginning with Rerum novarum (1891) and Populorum progressio (1967), and culminating in the prophetic language of the Latin American bishops conferences held at Medellin in 1968 and in Puebla in 1979. 

[LHBOTS] Mills' Alterity, Pain, and Suffering in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel Reviewed

RBL has posted a review of Mary E. Mills' LHBOTS volume Alterity, Pain, and Suffering in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, Vol. 479 written by Hallvard Hagelia of Ansgar College and Theological Seminary in Kristiansand, Norway.

A quick excerpt...

Is this kind of postmodern Bible reading really valid? Of course! But I will still argue that the basis for all biblical theology should be detailed exegesis, a close and expository reading of the texts. On this basis, a more subtle application could be excerpted. Mills will probably say that this close reading has already been done; it was her homework, before this book was written. Nevertheless, this is a book bridging in a postmodern way exegesis, ethics, and philosophy of religion. Here is much material for further work and investigation into life’s difficult questions—alterity, pain and suffering—questions that someday will catch up with all of us.

The book is very well written, in fluent language that nonetheless demands close attention
by the reader, at least readers not so accustomed to its rather philosophical or
phenomenological language. This is a deep dive, a rather underneath-the-actual-text
analysis. Already the first word of the title, “alterity,” is not found in, for example, The
New International Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary of the English Language (2003),
but linked with pain and suffering, the idea soon emerges.

Online Review: Calvin - A Guide for the Perplexed

   

There is a wonderful review of Paul Helm's new Guide for the Perplexed on Calvin on the Exiled Preacher Blog: 

"Paul Helm has provided us with a first class introduction to Calvin's thought in all its grandeur and breadth. There is certainly more to Calvin than predestination. He gives us invaluable insight into the nature of biblical revelation, the Trinity, and Christ in his offices of Prophet, Priest and King. His teaching on salvation through union with Christ, and the gift of 'double grace' in him, is especially helpful. What he has to say on living the Christian life is full of practical wisdom. This guide will help the perplexed. I hope that it will also stimulate the reader to get better acquainted with the theological legacy of John Calvin, great Genevan Reformer." Read more 

More info on the book for UK customers 

More info on the book for US customers  

Online Review: Signs of God's Promise

In today's edition, the Church Times publishes a review of Gordon Jeanes' book Signs of God's Promise by Professor Raymond Chapman:

THE development of Cranmer’s thought, and its consequences for the Prayer Books of 1549 and 1552, has become a standard topic in discussing the English Reformation. Was he heavily influenced by Continual Reformers, particularly Bucer and Peter Martyr, as well as his nearer neighbour John Knox? Did his ideas evolve independently, fuelled by his vast reading, and perhaps already finding their own direction as early as 1547?

Gordon Jeanes addresses the ques­tion in a work of detailed scholar­ship, referenced with a breadth of reading worthy of Cran­mer himself. Previous work has concentrated mainly on Cranmer’s eucharistic theology. Jeanes takes baptism and eucharist together: his interest began with a proposed study of Anglican baptismal liturgy. He shows that the principles behind the two sacraments are closely linked, and that the structure of the ser­vices as they appear in the succes­sive Prayer Books have many paral­lels in thought and structure.

The 16th century produced bitter disputes about the sacraments on a scale comparable to disputes over the Person of Christ in the early centuries of the Church. Jeanes steers his way judiciously through the controversies. Some critics of Cranmer have found his thought negative, developed in opposition to other contemporary ideas.

His sacramental ideas are not unique, but they are shown to be firm and positive. Essentially, baptism and eucharist signify, but do not convey, divine grace. The title of the book is apposite: they are “signs of God’s promise”. There is no propitiatory sacrifice, and there are no vicarious spiritual benefits for those who are present at either service without being recipients. Yet the words and actions are more than empty tokens or simple acts of obedience. The sacraments are efficacious through the faith that is already there, and the grace that faith brings. Baptism and eucharist enrich and strengthen the spiritual life of the Christian. God receives the child in baptism, the child re­ceives forgiveness and grace, and is brought into the believing congrega­­tion, whose faith is thus con­firmed.

The changes in the Prayer Book services reflect the increasing empha­sis on the participation and response of the people in worship. Ceremon­ies are not to be abrogated; they are “essentially didactic aids”, a com­ment that the Prayer Book Pre­face “On Ceremonies” seems to sup­port. There will still be room for the discussion to continue. It may be that Cranmer responded to pressure from others. Perhaps the 1559 Prayer Book, with its combination of the two sentences in administer­ing communion, best represents the breadth of his thought.

Some will still support the Tractarian argu­ment for a more Catholic interpre­ta­tion of the Prayer Book as we have it. But by considering the two Gospel sacraments together, Jeanes has made a persuasive case, which must be taken into account by future writers on the subject.

The Revd Dr Raymond Chapman is Emeritus Professor of English in the University of London.

Christian Origins - Jonathan Knight

It's been brought to my attention that an online review of Jonathan Knight's Christian Origins has been posted at kata ta biblia, a blog kept by a student of Christian origins at UCLA.

You can read the review here.

Deuteronomy in the New Testament (LNTS)

Nijay Gupta has posted a review of Deuteronomy in the New Testament (Moyise and Menken, eds) on his blog. You can read it here.

Reviews

The latest Review of Biblical Literature newsletter includes reviews of three of our books:

Paul Fullmer, Resurrection in Mark's Literary-Historical Perspective (Library of New Testament Studies, 2007):

‘Fullmer’s research challenges a long-standing scholarly assumption that “resurrection” is sui generic, unfamiliar to Greco-Roman readers. Fullmer has collected a great deal of interesting material from ancient literature on the resurrection motif … He has made a persuasive case that ancient readers would not have considered the crucifixion, tomb, and resurrection narratives peculiar or sui generic.’ Pheme Perkins, Professor of New Testament at Boston College of Arts & Sciences

Maarten J. J. Menken & Steve Moyise (eds), Deuteronomy in the New Testament (The New Testament and the Scriptures of Israel, a sub series of The Library of New Testament Studies, 2007):

‘The work in this volume is methodologically sophisticated and demonstrates that recently acquired knowledge of the hermeneutics of scriptural text-referencing is being put  to good use. … It was a pleasure to read, and I look forward with anticipation to other volumes in the series.’ Michael A. Lyons, Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Simpson University, USA

‘…these essays provide a helpful assessment of the degree and significance of individual authors’ engagements with Deuteronomy …This is a helpful collection of essays that should assist in the evaluation of a number of issues in New Testament scholarship, not least the vexing questions pertaining to the reception of the law in early Christian theology and praxis. … The editors and authors deserve our gratitude. We look forward to the next volume on the Minor Prophets in the New Testament.’ David Lincicum, Phd student University of Oxford

Stephen Barton (ed.), Idolatry: False Worship in the Bible, Early Judaism, and Christianity (2007):

‘…this book can definitely be recommended to everyone interested in the phenomenon idolatry. […] The scholars involved in the (publication) project are specialists in their essay topics.’ Thomas J. Kraus (unable to find affiliation)

Vision for the Church

On his blog The Assembling of the Church, Alan Knox, a PhD student at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has written an interesting, and impassioned, comment on Andrew Chester's chapter in our book Vision for the Church: Studies in Early Christian Ecclesiology (edited by Markus Bockmuehl & Michael B. Thompson, 1997). In his chapter, Chester engages with what he considers to be Paul's vision for the Church, and Chester's summation of this vision is described by Knox as "one of the best descriptions of the Church that I have ever read." You can read Knox's piece, together with the responses to it, here.

Ancient Israel, Lester Grabbe

Lester Grabbe's Ancient Israel (published last year) has garnered yet another warm review:

‘Professor Grabbe has once again admirably served the community of scholars in ancient Israelite history with his newest volume, Ancient Israel. [...] The publication of Ancient Israel could not be more timely, for one might reasonably conclude that the decades-old impasse that had, until very recently, regrettably characterised historical studies of ancient Israel has been transcended with the realises of not only Ancient Israel but also three extensively documented histories; those of Finkelstein and Silberman, Liverani, and the new and significantly expanded, Miller and Hayes, not to mention the spate of other works dedicated to the topic. [...] Ancient Israel remains a thorough assessment of the state of the art up to and including 2005. [...] Ancient Israel is a tremendously informed and useful book that readers will find very helpful in a variety of contexts, whether for general pedagogical purposes or as a reader in the seminar context or as a reference tool in the research environment. [...] Readers will be immensely indebted to Professor Grabbe for Ancient Israel. It invites extensive and detailed engagement.’ - Brian B. Schmidt (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MIchigan), RBL, August 2008.